Method and apparatus for forming a tie pattern of bales on a bale wagon

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for forming a tie pattern of bales on a stacking table of a bale wagon. The method includes the steps of receiving a first array of longitudinally aligned bales on the stacking table, fixing the outermost or flanking bales of the first array for pivotable movement about a point, removing the bale or bales extending between the flanking bales of the first array, and inserting a series of a second array of longitudinally aligned bales generally midway between the fixed flanking bales. The apparatus for forming the tie pattern comprises tines extending through a stacking table for fixing the flanking bales for pivotal movement about a point, paddles for removing the bale or bales extending between the flanking bales of the first array and a receiving table disposed adjacent the stacking table for transferring bales thereto in either the first array or second array.

United States Patent Grey [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A TIEPATTERN OF BALES ON A BALE WAGON Donald M. Grey, Selma, Calif.

Sperry Rand Corporation, New Holland, Pa.

[22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1970 [21] Appl.N0.: 61,966

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[ 51 May 23,1972

Jay et a1. ..214/6 B Grey ..2l4/6 B [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatusfor forming a tie pattern of bales on a stacking table of a bale wagon.The method includes the steps of receiving a first array oflongitudinally aligned bales on the stacking table, fixing the outermostor flanking bales of the first array for pivotable movement about apoint, removing the bale or bales extending between the flanking balesof the first array, and inserting a series of a second array oflongitudinally aligned bales generally midway between the fixed flankingbales. The apparatus for fonning the tie pattern comprises tinesextending through a stacking table for fixing the flanking bales forpivotal movement about a point, paddles for removing the bale or balesextending between the flanking bales of the first array and a receivingtable disposed adjacent the stacking table for transferring balesthereto in either the first array or second array.

20 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 2 3 I972 SHEET 1 UF 4 iNVENTORDom/4L0 M gegr BY C. ATTRN zY PATENTEDMY 2 3 m2 FLHHII 2 [IF 4 INVENTOR.

DONALD M. GRA'Y PATENTEI] MM 2 3 I972 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

paw/.0 M 085) 42 HT OFAE) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A TIE PATTERNOF BALES ON A BALE WAGON BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relatesto bale wagons and more particular to a method and apparatus for forminga tie pattern of bales thereon.

Grey, U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,127, introduced the cooperating three tableconcept to the bale wagon art. The three tables, often referred to as areceiving table, a stacking table and a load table, are tandemlyarranged longitudinal to the wagon chassis and pivotally mounted aboutan axis extending transversely the direction of travel. In operationbales are picked up from the field, conveyed transversely across thereceiving table to form a row of longitudinally aligned bales. Thereceiving table transfers successive rows of bales to the stacking tableto form a tier or layer of bales thereon. The stacking table in turnsuccessively stacks the tiers or layers vertically onto the load tableto form a stack thereon. Normally the tiers formed by the stacking tableare comprised of a series of iongitudinally aligned rows positioned inside by side relationship transverse to the bale wagon. Since in theformation of a stack the tiers are stacked adjacent to each other inalignment, individual bales of each tier form a section of alongitudinal column. These longitudinal columns become verticallyorientated when the load is vertically stacked in a stacking area. Toassure that the vertical columns do not separate and spill outwardlyfrom the stack, a tie tier is formed in the upper half of the stack. Theessence of the tie tier is that the bales contained therein are disposedin a pattern distinct from the normal tier pattern such that when thetie tier is stacked adjacent a normal tier the bales therein extendacross the longitudinal columns, tending to hold them together.

Initially the tie tier for the two wide bale wagon was formed byreceiving a number of bales onto the stacking table and rearrangingthese by hand to form a tie pattern. Grey U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,814 thenintroduced a mechanism for automatically forming a tie pattern for a twowide bale wagon. This device consisted of a pair of tines for fixing theouter ends of the first two bales received on the stacking table forpivotable movement about a point and means for inserting a series ofsingle bales between the fixed bales, causing them to pivot and extendlongitudinally about the sides of the stacking table.

The development of the three wide bale wagon presented a more perplexedsituation in that an inner bale was situated between two flanking bales.Greys method for forming a two wide tie was inapplicable to the threewide stack since there was no teaching as to a manner of operating on aninner bale.

Moreover Greys mechanism did not engage the inner bale and position itwithin a tie pattern.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide amethod and an apparatus for forming a tie pattern for a three or morewide bale wagon.

More specifically, it is the object of the present invention to providea method and an apparatus for forming a tie pattern on the stackingtable of a three table bale wagon in which the three tables, a receivingtable, a stacking table, and a load table are tandemly arrangedlongitudinally to the wagon chas- SIS.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method offorming a three wide tie pattern about the stacking table of a balewagon by receiving three longitudinally aligned bales from a receivingtable, fixing the outermost bales for pivotable movement about a pointand removing the inner bale extending between the outermost bales, andinserting a series of two longitudinally aligned bales between the fixedoutermost bale causing them to pivot ninety degrees.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanisminterlocked with the stacking table that may be selectively actuated toperform the above method, the mechanism includes tines for fixing theoutermost bales for removing the inner bale, and a trip mechanism foractuating the receiving table whereby the series of two longitudinallyaligned bales are inserted between the outermost bales.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a balewagon with the automatic three wide tie mechanism disposed beneath theforward portion of the stacking table. The tie tier, which forms thesixth tier of the stack is shown completely formed on the stackingtable.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the tines orspikes.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the tie mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the paddlesor bale removing means.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the paddles.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the two bale tripmechanism in the nonoperative position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the two bale tripmechanism in the operative position.

FIGS. 9-18 are a sequence of plan views showing the method of fonning atie tier for 14 X 18 X 41 inch bales.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the second table showing a tie tier formed by16 X 18 X 41 inch bales.

- FIG. 20 is a plan view of the second table showing a tie tier formedby 14 X 18 X 36 inch bales.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings inmore detail, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a bale wagon of the type shownand described in vGrey, U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,127, is indicated generallyat 10 and includes a chassis 12 mounted by wheels 14. Extendingforwardly from the chassis 12 is a tongue 16 having a hitch or clevis 17for coupling the wagon 10 with a pulling means. Tandemly arranged on thechassis 12 is a first receiving table 18, a second stacking table 20,and a third table or load bed 22.

Each of the tables 18, 20, 22 is pivotable upwardly about an axisextending transversely across the rear thereof by hydraulic lift means,not shown. For actuating the hydraulic lift means of the receiving table18 a pair of trip mechanisms 24, 26 are disposed about one side thereof(FIG. 2). Both mechanisms 24, 26 are operatively linked with the controlvalve of the lift means of the receiving table 18 such that the outwardmovement of either of the trip mechanisms results in the upwardpivotable movement of the receiving table. As seen in FIG. 1 theoutermost trip mechanism 24 is normally operative as the inner tripmechanism 26 is only operative during the formation of a tie tier. Theinner trip mechanism 26, often referred to as a two bale trip mechanism,will be subsequently described in greater detail as it forms an integralpart of the tie mechanism.

Continuing with the detail description of the bale wagon 10, a pickupmechanism 28 is supported from the chassis 12 adjacent the side of thereceiving table 18 opposite the trip mechanisms 24, 26. The pickupmechanism 28 functions to pick up bales from the field and convey themonto the receiving table 18. Reference may be made to the abovementioned Grey U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,127 for the details of the pickupmechanism 28 as well as other details for understanding the unifiedoperation of the Grey machine.

The automatic tie mechanism for forming a tie tier is disposed generallybeneath the forward portion of the stacking table 20. The tie mechanismis comprised of two major mechanisms. A first mechanism 30 interlockedwith the stacking table 20 for shifting and removing bales disposedthereon and a second mechanism 26, previously referred to as a two baletrip mechanism, for actuating the lifting means of the receiving tablesuch that two bales are delivered therefrom to a specified area on thestacking table 20.

Turning to FIG. 4, the first mechanism 30 is shown from beneath thestacking table and is comprised of means for fixing bales for pivotalmovement about a point and means for removing a single bale from thestacking table. The means for fixing the bales for pivotable movement iscomprised of a first rockshaft 32 rotably mounted by brackets 34transversely beneath the front end of the stacking table 20. Afiixed tothe opposite ends of the rockshaft 32 are a pair of arm 36 which dependdownwardly and generally forwardly therefrom. Pivotally mounted to thelower ends of arm 36 are a pair of spikes or tines 38 which projectupwardly therefrom through rotatable guides 40 which are mountedtransversely across openings 42 within the forward corners of thestacking table 20. For rotating the rockshaft 32 and consequently movingthe tines 38 upwardly and downwardly through openings 42, a remotelycontrolled double acting hydraulic cylinder 44 is operatively connectedto the rockshaft 32. As seen in FIG. 3 the anchor end 46 of the cylinder44 is pivotally secured to a mounting bracket 48 depending from theunderside of the stacking table 20 while the rod end 50 connects to adrive arm 52 extending upwardly from the rockshaft 32.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the bale removing means comprises asecond rockshaft 54 which is rotatably mounted within brackets 56depending from beneath the stacking table 20. (FIG. 5) The rockshaft 54is spaced below the floor of the stacking table and extends transverselybeneath a pair of Iongitudinal opening 58 within the stacking table.Fixed to opposite end sections of the rockshaft 54 are a pair of paddles60 which extend upwardly therefrom in longitudinal alignment with theopenings 58.

Now with reference to FIG. 6 it is seen that the paddles 60 include alower section 62 and an upper section 64 pivotally secured together by apivot pin 66. A tension spring 68 extends between a point 70 locatedabout the lower rear portion of the upper section 64 and a point 72 onthe lower section 62, thereby biasing the upper section 64 for rearwardpivotal movement about the axis of the pivot pin 66. But the degree ofrearward pivotable movement of the upper section 64 is limited by theabutment of its lower forward portion with the forward wall of the lowersection 62, shown by numeral 74. This limitation maintains the uppersection 64 in a generally upright position longitudinally aligned withthe lower section 62. Although not specifically shown the upper portionof the forward wall of the lower section 62 is indented to enable theupper section to pivot forwardly as shown in dotted lines of FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5 the rockshaft 54 and consequently thepaddles 60 are actuated back and forth by a second double actinghydraulic cylinder 76. The anchor end 78 of the cylinder 76 is pivotallysecured within a bracket 80 depending from the underside of the stackingtable while the rod end 82 is connected to a drive arm 84 extending fromthe rockshaft 54.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8 the two bale trip mechanism 26 is shown in itsnonoperative and operative modes respectively. This mechanism iscomprised of a sensing arm 86 which is pivotable about a transverselyextending shaft 88 from the nonoperative position (FIG. 7) to theoperative position (FIG. 8). Additionally the portion of the sensing arm86 extending forwardly of the shaft 88 is pivotable outwardly about thegenerally upright axis of a swivel means, not shown. Also not shown is alateral linkage arrangement joining the forward portion of sensing arm86 with the control valve of the receiving table 18. The linkage is sostructured that the outward pivotable movement of the sensing arm 86about the swivel actuates the control valve of the receiving tablecausing it to cycle and deliver bales thereon to the stacking table 20.Extending upwardly from the rear end of the sensing arm 86 is aconnecting rod 90 having a stop 92 fixed intermediately therearound.Disposed rearwardly of the sensing arm 86 is a generally L-shapedactuating arm 94 which is pivotally secured to the chassis 12 about atransverse axis 96. Extending forwardly from the front end of actuatingarm 94 is a plate 98 with a circular opening therein for receiving theconnecting rod therethrough. The plate 88 is confined about theconnecting rod 90 from the top by a pin 100 and from beneath by a coilspring 102. The spring 102 is compressively held between the stop 92 andthe underside of the plate 98 thereby biasing the actuating arm 94upwardly to its normally nonoperative position. Mounted to the back ofthe L-shaped actuating arm 94 and inclined forwardly therefrom is a camplate 104. Rotatably mounted to the rockshaft 32 is a cam 106, the cambeing disposed directly over the cam plate 104 for engagement therewith.The cam 106 is positioned so as to engage the cam plate 104 andconsequently move the two bale trip mechanisms 26 into the operativemode when the rockshaft 32 is rotated for actuating the tines 38.

METHOD AND OPERATION In the operation of the bale wagon l0, bales areloaded from the field onto the receiving table 18, one bale at a time bythe pickup mechanism 28. The bales are normally moved across thereceiving table 18 by a cross conveyor, not shown, until three bales arefully loaded thereon. The trip mechanism 24 is so positioned that oncethe three bales have been fully loaded the first of the three balesengages the mechanism 24 pivoting it outwardly, thereby actuating thecontrol valve of the receiving table causing it to cycle and deliver thethree bales thereon to the stacking table 20. The receiving tablecontinues to deposit rows of three bales onto the stacking table until,in the case of 14 X 18 X 41 inch bales, six rows are disposed thereon,the rows extending transversely the stacking table in side by siderelationship. These six longitudinally aligned rows form a basic tierwhich is vertically stacked on the load table by the hydraulic liftmeans of the stacking table, not shown. The particular bale wagon shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 has an eight tier capacity and after stacking fivetiers thereon it is desirable then to form the tie tier which becomesthe sixth tier of the stack.

The method of forming the pattern for the tie tier with 14 X 18 X 41inch bales is shown in FIGS. 9-16. First three bales B, C, D arereceived in longitudinal alignment along the receiving table 18 (FIG.9). Bale B engages the trip mechanism 24 which actuates the controlvalve of the hydraulic lift means of the receiving table causing it tocycle and deposit the three bales B, C, D along the forward end of thestacking table 20 (FIG. 10). At this point the hydraulic cylinders 44and 76 of the tie mechanism are actuated. Cylinder 44 rotates therockshaft 32 which drives the tines 38 upwardly through openings 42 intopiercing engagement with the flanking bales B and D. As the rockshaft 32is rotated, the cam 106 rotates downwardly engaging the cam plate 104which moves the two bale trip mechanism 26 from the nonoperative mode tothe operative mode. (FIGS. 7 and 8). Simultaneously the cylinder 76rotates the rockshaft 54 such that the paddles 60 sweep forwardly, upthrough opening 52 pushing the middlemost bale C from the stacking table20 back onto the receiving table 18 (FIG. 11). Another bale E is loadedonto the receiving table (FIG. 12) and conveyed thereacross forcing baleD against the now operative two bale trip mechanism 26 causing thereceiving table to cycle and deposit the two bales generally midwaybetween the flanking bales B and D (FIG. 13). Since the two flankingbales B and D are fixed about a point by the tines 38 they pivotapproximately 90 as bales C and E are inserted longitudinallytherebetween. After bales C and E have been deposited on the stackingtable two more bales F and G are received on the receiving table (FIG.13) and are likewise inserted between the flanking bales B and D (FIG.14). The basic pattern for the tie tier is completed when bales H and Iare received on the receiving table (FIG. 14) and deposited on thestacking table (FIG. 15). The operator then disengages the tie mechanismcausing the tines 38 to be retracted from the flanking bales B and D andthe paddles 60 to be moved rearwardly to their initial position. As thepaddles 60 aremoved rearwardly the upper section 64 engages the sectionof bales disposed between the flanking rail bales B and D. In order thatthis section of bales are not disturbed the upper section 64 pivotsforwardly as the paddles 60 move rearwardly (shown in dotted lines ofFIG. 6). Additionally, as the tines 38 are retracted the rockshaft 32rotates such that cam 106 moves upwardly disengaging the cam plate 104.The spring 102 then biases the actuating arm 94 upwardly allowing thesensing arm 86 of the two bale trip mechanism to fall downwardly intothe nonoperative mode (FIG. 8). Next the stacking table 20 is pivotedupwardly approximately 45 causing the basic pattern of FIG. to slideundisturbed to the rear thereof, (FIG. 16), making room for a likepattern about the forward half of the table. Three new bales B, C, D,are received on the receiving table and the method and operationpreviously discussed and shown in FIGS. 9-15 is repeated to form asecond basic tie pattern, identical with the first pattern shown in FIG.15, which is disposed forwardly of the first pattern to form the tietier shown in FIG. 18. An intermediate step in forming the front patternof the tie tier is shown in FIG. 17 in which bales C and E are insertedbetween bales B and D.

FIG. 19 shows a tie tier for 16 X 18 X 41 inch bales. It is formed bysubstantially the same method or set forth above in the case of 14 X 18X 41 inch bales with the exception that the section of bales extendingbetween the rail or flanking bales contains one less row. This isaccomplished by disengaging the tie mechanism and pivoting the stackingtable upwardly after only two rows of bales have been positioned betweenthe rail bales B, D, In the case of 14 X 18 X 36 inch bales anadditional row of three bales is deposited forwardly along the frontedge of the stacking table (FIG. 20).

After the tie tier has been formed the stacking table pivots upwardlyand vertically stacks the tie tier adjacent the fifth tier. Twoadditional tiers like the first five tiers are then formed on thestacking table and stacked on the load table to complete the formationof the stack.

The terms, upper, lower, forward, rearward, etc. have been used hereinmerely for the convenience of the foregoing specification and in theappended claims to describe the tie mechanism and its parts as orientedin the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms arein no way limiting to the invention since the tie mechanism mayobviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.

The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit andessential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange are intended to be embraced herein.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

l. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon comprising in combination: achassis; a load table mounted on said chassis; a stacking table mountedon said chassis adjacent to said load table; and a tie mechanismdisposed adjacent said stacking table for selectively forming a tiepattern of bales thereon, said tie mechanism moveably mounted forengagement and disengagement with bales associated with said stackingtable and including bale pivoting means for selectively pivotingindividual bales during the formation of a tie pattern, and means forremoving an individual bale from said stacking table independently ofother bales thereon during the formation of the tie pattern.

2. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 1 wherein areceiving table is mounted adjacent said stacking table for transferringbales thereto and a trip mechanism operatively responsive to theengagement of said tie mechanism is mounted about said receiving tablefor activating the same during the formation of the tie pattern.

3. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon comprising in combination: achassis; a load table mounted rearwardly on said chassis; a stackingtable mounted on said chassis forwardly of said load table for stackingbales thereon, and a tie mechanism for forming a tie pattern of bales onsaid stacking table moveably mounted beneath openings within saidstacking table for movement therethrough and for engagement with balesthereon; said tie mechanism including tine means for fixing bales abouta point for pivotal movement thereabouts and bale removing means forremoving an individual bale from said stacking table independently ofother bales thereon.

4. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 3 wherein saidtine means are operatively connected to rockshaft means extendingbeneath said stacking table and wherein said bale removing meansincludes paddles secured to said rockshaft means and extending radiallytherefrom, said rockshaft means being adapted for back-and-forthrotational movement whereby the rotation thereof causes said tine meansand said paddles to engage bales situate over said openings within saidstacking table.

5. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 4 wherein saidrockshaft means extends transversely beneath said stacking table, saidtine means includes a pair of spikes, each operatively connected atopposite end portions of said rockshaft means, and said paddles aresecured about said rockshaft means interrnediately between said spikes.

6. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 5 wherein thecombination further includes a receiving table mounted forwardly of saidstacking table for transferring a first number of bales to a first areaon said stacking table and a trip mechanism operatively responsive tothe engagement of said tie mechanism and engageable with said receivingtable for activating said receiving table for transferring a secondnumber of bales onto a second area of said stacking table.

7. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 6 wherein saidrockshaft means include a cam disposed therearound for engagement withsaid trip mechanism whereby the activation of the tie mechanism causessaid trip mechanism to become operative.

8. In a bale wagon having a chassis, a load table mounted rearwardly onsaid chassis, and a stacking table mounted forwardly of said load table,the improvement comprising a tie mechanism disposed forwardly andbeneath said stacking table for forming a tie pattern of bales thereon,said tie mechanism includes rockshaft means extending transverselybeneath the forward portion of said stacking table and rotatableback-and-forth between a first and second position, anns extendingradially from opposite end portions of said rockshaft means, spikesattached to the outer ends of said arms for movement through openingsabout the forward corner portions of said stacking table as saidrockshaft means is rotated from said first position to said secondposition, and bale removing means fixed to said rockshaft meansintermediately between said spike and extending radially therefrom formovement through openings within said stacking table as said rockshaftmeans is rotated between said first and second position.

9. A bale wagon as recited in claim 8 wherein said rockshaft means isdriven by remotely controlled hydraulic cylinder means.

10. A bale wagon as recited in claim 8 wherein a receiving table ismounted forwardly of said stacking table for transferring bales theretoand a trip mechanism operatively responsive to the engagement of saidtine mechanism is engageable with said receiving table for activatingthe same during the formation of the tie pattern.

11. A bale wagon as recited in claim 10 wherein said bale removing meansincludes a plurality of elongated paddles radially extending from saidrockshaft means, said paddles having upper portions pivotal forwardlyabout an axis extending transversely thereof, and said upper portionsbeing spring biased rearwardly whereby during disengagement of said tiemechanism said upper portions pivot forwardly as said paddles moverearwardly and engage bales on said stacking table, thereby avoidingdisruption of said bales.

12. A bale wagon as recited in claim 11 wherein said trip mechanismincludes a sensing arm moveably mounted adjacent said receiving tablefor movement between an operative and nonoperative position, saidsensing arm being communicatively connected to an actuating arm by aconnecting rod, said actuating arm disposed adjacent a cam means securedabout said rockshaft means for engagement therewith and biased upwardlyfor maintaining said sensing arm in said nonoperative position, said cammeans arranged on said rockshaft means such that the actuation of saidtie mechanism causes said cam means to engage said actuating arm therebymoving said sensing arm from said nonoperative position to saidoperative position.

13. An apparatus for forming a tie pattern of bales on a bale wagon,comprising:

a forming table mounted on said bale wagon;

means moveably mounted adjacent said forming table for transferring anarray of three bales in longitudinal alignment to said forming table;

means disposed adjacent said forming table for fixing the outermostbales of said array for pivotal movement about a point and removing theinner bale extending therebetween from said stacking table; and

means moveably mounted adjacent said forming table for successivelyinserting a series of bale rows transversely between said outermostbales of said array, said bale rows including two bales in longitudinalalignment, whereby the first of said rows engages the inwardly extendingportions of said outermost bales causing said outermost bales to pivotapproximately 90 thereby forming a tie pattern which includes a seriesof rows extending transversely between and normal to the sides of saidpivoted outermost bales.

14. An apparatus for fomiing a tie pattern on a bale wagon as set forthin claim 13 wherein said forming table includes means for pivotablemovement, whereby said forming table may be pivoted upwardly inducingsaid tie pattern to slide from a first area to a second area.

15. A method of forming a tie pattern for a bale stack com prising thesteps of: receiving an array of bales onto a forming table, said arrayof bales including an inner bale section with flanking bales to eachside thereof; fixing said flanking bales for pivotable movement about apoint and removing said inner bale section extending between saidflanking bales; and inserting a series of second bale sections betweensaid flanking bales, said second bale sections being longer than theremoved inner bale section thereby causing the flanking bales to pivotabout the fixed point.

16. A method of forming a tie pattern on a stacking table of a balewagon, comprising the steps of: receiving a first array oflongitudinally aligned bales onto said stacking table, said first arrayof bales including an inner bale section with flanking bales to eachside thereof; fixing the flanking bales of said first array forpivotable movement about a point; removing the inner bale sectionextending between the flanking bales from the stacking table; andinserting a series of a second array of longitudinally aligned balesmidway between the flanking bales, said second array of bales includingone less bale than said first array.

17. A method of forming a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagoncomprising the steps of:

first, receiving an array of three bales in longitudinal alignment ontoa first area of said forming table;

secondly, fixing the outermost bales of said array for pivotablemovement about a point and removing the inner bale extendingtherebetween from said forming table;

thirdly, inserting successively a series of three bale rows transverselybetween the outermost bales, each row including two bales longitudinallyaligned, whereby the first of said rows engages the inwardly extendingportions of the outermost bales as said rows are inserted therebetweencausing said outermost bales to pivot approximately thereby forming afirst section of bales on said first area of said forming table whichincludes the three bale rows extending transversely between and normalto the sides of said pivoted outermost bales; fourthly, transferringsaid first section of bales from said first area to a second area onsaid forming table; and

finally, repeating the first three steps to form a second section ofbales like said first section on said first area of said forming tablethereby forming a tie tier which includes the two like section of balesdisposed adjacent each other on said forming table.

18. The method of forming a tie tier on the forming table of a balewagon as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of transferring saidfirst bale section from said first area to said second area of saidforming table includes pivoting said first area of said forming tableupwardly thereby inducing said first bale section to slide to saidsecond area of said forming table.

19. A method of forming a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagoncomprising the steps of:

receiving a first array of three bales in longitudinal alignment onto afirst area of a forming table;

fixing the outermost bales of said first array for pivotal movementabout a point and removing the inner bale ex tending therebetween fromsaid forming table;

inserting successively two bale rows transversely between the outermostbales, each row including two bales longitudinally aligned, whereby thefirst of said rows engages the inwardly extending portions of theoutermost bales as said rows are inserted therebetween, causing saidoutermost bales to pivot approximately ninety degrees thereby forming afirst bale section on said first area of said forming table whichincludes two rows of bales, two bales per row, extending transverselybetween and normal to the sides of said pivoted outermost bales;

pivoting said first area of said forming table upwardly thereby inducingsaid first section to slide from said first area to a second area onsaid stacking table;

receiving a second array of three bales in longitudinal alignment ontosaid first area of said forming table; fixing the outermost bales ofsaid second array for pivotal movement about a point and removing theinner bale extending therebetween from said forming table; and

inserting successively a series of three bale rows transversely betweenthe outermost bales, each row including two bales longitudinallyaligned, whereby the first of said rows engages the inwardly extendingportions of said outermost bales of said second array as said rows areinserted therebetween, causing said outermost bales to pivotapproximately 90, thereby forming a second bale section on said firstarea of said forming table which includes three rows of bales, two balesper row, extending transversely between and normal to the sides of saidpivoted outermost bales, whereby said first and second sections of balesare disposed adjacent each other on second and first areas of saidforming table respectively, thereby forming a tie tier of bales thereon.

20. A method of fomiing a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagon asset forth in claim 19 wherein subsequently to the formation of thesecond section of bales an additional step of receiving a third array ofthree bales in longitudinal alignment onto said forming table isperformed, said third array being disposed adjacent to said secondsection of bales.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTEFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No.3,664,519 Dated May 23, 1972 Invent0r(s) Donald M. Grey It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the list of References Cited, cancel "Blackmum and insert Backmantherefor.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 197L (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM 9 (10-59) uscoMM-oc 60376-P6D 1? [Li GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE: 19, 0-366-33L

1. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon comprising in combination: achassis; a load table mounted on said chassis; a stacking table mountedon said chassis adjacent to said load table; and a tie mechanismdisposed adjacent said stacking table for selectively forming a tiepattern of bales thereon, said tie mechanism moveably mounted forengagement and disengagement with bales associated with said stackingtable and including bale pivoting means for selectively pivotingindividual bales during the formation of a tie pattern, and means forremoving an individual bale from said stacking table independently ofother bales thereon during the formation of the tie pattern.
 2. A tiemechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 1 wherein a receivingtable is mounted adjacent said stacking table for transferring balesthereto and a trip mechanism operatively responsive to the engagement ofsaid tie mechanism is mounted about said receiving table for activatingthe same during the formation of the tie pattern.
 3. A tie mechanism fora bale wagon comprising in combination: a chassis; a load table mountedrearwardly on said chassis; a stacking table mounted on said chassisforwardly of said load table for stacking bales thereon, and a tiemechanism for forming a tie pattern of bales on said stacking tablemoveably mounted beneath openings within said stacking table formovement therethrough and for engagement with bales thereon; said tiemechanism including tine means for fixing bales about a point forpivotal movement thereabouts and bale removing means for removing anindividual bale from said stacking table independently of other balesthereon.
 4. A tie mechanism for a bale wagon as recited in claim 3wherein said tine means are operatively connected to rockshaft meansextending beneath said stacking table and wherein said bale removingmeans includes paddles secured to said rockshaft means and extendingradially therefrom, said rockshaft means being adapted forback-and-forth rotational movement whereby the rotation thereof causessaid tine means and said paddles to engage bales situate over saidopenings within said stacking table.
 5. A tie mechanism for a bale wagonas recited in claim 4 wherein said rockshaft means extends transverselybeneath said stacking table, said tine means includes a pair of spikes,each operatively connected at opposite end portions of said rockshaftmeans, and said paddles are secured about said rockshaft meansintermediately between said spikes.
 6. A tie mechanism for a bale wagonaS recited in claim 5 wherein the combination further includes areceiving table mounted forwardly of said stacking table fortransferring a first number of bales to a first area on said stackingtable and a trip mechanism operatively responsive to the engagement ofsaid tie mechanism and engageable with said receiving table foractivating said receiving table for transferring a second number ofbales onto a second area of said stacking table.
 7. A tie mechanism fora bale wagon as recited in claim 6 wherein said rockshaft means includea cam disposed therearound for engagement with said trip mechanismwhereby the activation of the tie mechanism causes said trip mechanismto become operative.
 8. In a bale wagon having a chassis, a load tablemounted rearwardly on said chassis, and a stacking table mountedforwardly of said load table, the improvement comprising a tie mechanismdisposed forwardly and beneath said stacking table for forming a tiepattern of bales thereon, said tie mechanism includes rockshaft meansextending transversely beneath the forward portion of said stackingtable and rotatable back-and-forth between a first and second position,arms extending radially from opposite end portions of said rockshaftmeans, spikes attached to the outer ends of said arms for movementthrough openings about the forward corner portions of said stackingtable as said rockshaft means is rotated from said first position tosaid second position, and bale removing means fixed to said rockshaftmeans intermediately between said spike and extending radially therefromfor movement through openings within said stacking table as saidrockshaft means is rotated between said first and second position.
 9. Abale wagon as recited in claim 8 wherein said rockshaft means is drivenby remotely controlled hydraulic cylinder means.
 10. A bale wagon asrecited in claim 8 wherein a receiving table is mounted forwardly ofsaid stacking table for transferring bales thereto and a trip mechanismoperatively responsive to the engagement of said tine mechanism isengageable with said receiving table for activating the same during theformation of the tie pattern.
 11. A bale wagon as recited in claim 10wherein said bale removing means includes a plurality of elongatedpaddles radially extending from said rockshaft means, said paddleshaving upper portions pivotal forwardly about an axis extendingtransversely thereof, and said upper portions being spring biasedrearwardly whereby during disengagement of said tie mechanism said upperportions pivot forwardly as said paddles move rearwardly and engagebales on said stacking table, thereby avoiding disruption of said bales.12. A bale wagon as recited in claim 11 wherein said trip mechanismincludes a sensing arm moveably mounted adjacent said receiving tablefor movement between an operative and nonoperative position, saidsensing arm being communicatively connected to an actuating arm by aconnecting rod, said actuating arm disposed adjacent a cam means securedabout said rockshaft means for engagement therewith and biased upwardlyfor maintaining said sensing arm in said nonoperative position, said cammeans arranged on said rockshaft means such that the actuation of saidtie mechanism causes said cam means to engage said actuating arm therebymoving said sensing arm from said nonoperative position to saidoperative position.
 13. An apparatus for forming a tie pattern of baleson a bale wagon, comprising: a forming table mounted on said bale wagon;means moveably mounted adjacent said forming table for transferring anarray of three bales in longitudinal alignment to said forming table;means disposed adjacent said forming table for fixing the outermostbales of said array for pivotal movement about a point and removing theinner bale extending therebetween from said stacking table; and meansmoveably mounted adjacent said forming table for successively insertinga series of bale rows transversely between said outermost Bales of saidarray, said bale rows including two bales in longitudinal alignment,whereby the first of said rows engages the inwardly extending portionsof said outermost bales causing said outermost bales to pivotapproximately 90* thereby forming a tie pattern which includes a seriesof rows extending transversely between and normal to the sides of saidpivoted outermost bales.
 14. An apparatus for forming a tie pattern on abale wagon as set forth in claim 13 wherein said forming table includesmeans for pivotable movement, whereby said forming table may be pivotedupwardly inducing said tie pattern to slide from a first area to asecond area.
 15. A method of forming a tie pattern for a bale stackcomprising the steps of: receiving an array of bales onto a formingtable, said array of bales including an inner bale section with flankingbales to each side thereof; fixing said flanking bales for pivotablemovement about a point and removing said inner bale section extendingbetween said flanking bales; and inserting a series of second balesections between said flanking bales, said second bale sections beinglonger than the removed inner bale section thereby causing the flankingbales to pivot about the fixed point.
 16. A method of forming a tiepattern on a stacking table of a bale wagon, comprising the steps of:receiving a first array of longitudinally aligned bales onto saidstacking table, said first array of bales including an inner balesection with flanking bales to each side thereof; fixing the flankingbales of said first array for pivotable movement about a point; removingthe inner bale section extending between the flanking bales from thestacking table; and inserting a series of a second array oflongitudinally aligned bales midway between the flanking bales, saidsecond array of bales including one less bale than said first array. 17.A method of forming a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagoncomprising the steps of: first, receiving an array of three bales inlongitudinal alignment onto a first area of said forming table;secondly, fixing the outermost bales of said array for pivotablemovement about a point and removing the inner bale extendingtherebetween from said forming table; thirdly, inserting successively aseries of three bale rows transversely between the outermost bales, eachrow including two bales longitudinally aligned, whereby the first ofsaid rows engages the inwardly extending portions of the outermost balesas said rows are inserted therebetween causing said outermost bales topivot approximately 90*, thereby forming a first section of bales onsaid first area of said forming table which includes the three bale rowsextending transversely between and normal to the sides of said pivotedoutermost bales; fourthly, transferring said first section of bales fromsaid first area to a second area on said forming table; and finally,repeating the first three steps to form a second section of bales likesaid first section on said first area of said forming table therebyforming a tie tier which includes the two like section of bales disposedadjacent each other on said forming table.
 18. The method of forming atie tier on the forming table of a bale wagon as set forth in claim 17wherein said step of transferring said first bale section from saidfirst area to said second area of said forming table includes pivotingsaid first area of said forming table upwardly thereby inducing saidfirst bale section to slide to said second area of said forming table.19. A method of forming a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagoncomprising the steps of: receiving a first array of three bales inlongitudinal alignment onto a first area of a forming table; fixing theoutermost bales of said first array for pivotal movement about a pointand removing the inner bale extending therebetween from said formingtable; inserting successively two bale rows transversely between theouterMost bales, each row including two bales longitudinally aligned,whereby the first of said rows engages the inwardly extending portionsof the outermost bales as said rows are inserted therebetween, causingsaid outermost bales to pivot approximately ninety degrees therebyforming a first bale section on said first area of said forming tablewhich includes two rows of bales, two bales per row, extendingtransversely between and normal to the sides of said pivoted outermostbales; pivoting said first area of said forming table upwardly therebyinducing said first section to slide from said first area to a secondarea on said stacking table; receiving a second array of three bales inlongitudinal alignment onto said first area of said forming table;fixing the outermost bales of said second array for pivotal movementabout a point and removing the inner bale extending therebetween fromsaid forming table; and inserting successively a series of three balerows transversely between the outermost bales, each row including twobales longitudinally aligned, whereby the first of said rows engages theinwardly extending portions of said outermost bales of said second arrayas said rows are inserted therebetween, causing said outermost bales topivot approximately 90*, thereby forming a second bale section on saidfirst area of said forming table which includes three rows of bales, twobales per row, extending transversely between and normal to the sides ofsaid pivoted outermost bales, whereby said first and second sections ofbales are disposed adjacent each other on second and first areas of saidforming table respectively, thereby forming a tie tier of bales thereon.20. A method of forming a tie tier on a forming table of a bale wagon asset forth in claim 19 wherein subsequently to the formation of thesecond section of bales an additional step of receiving a third array ofthree bales in longitudinal alignment onto said forming table isperformed, said third array being disposed adjacent to said secondsection of bales.